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• DISEASES OF HAWKS 385 



be given without castings and on an empty" stomach. A little 

 light warm food should be given, as a freshly-killed pigeon or 

 rabbit, at frequent intervals as the hawk seems able to take it, 

 and the rhubarb dose may be repeated for two or three days •; 

 (but not more) until the hawk is able to digest a full meal. 

 r^ The falconer will always examine with special care both" 

 the mutes or droppings as well as the castings of his hawks in j 

 order that he may judge of their condition of health. The I 

 mutes should be perfectly white, of the consistency of cream, 

 ^ith occasionally a black spot in them ; if they are thick o~ 

 . iwith much black in them the hawk is out of order. Green * 

 ^^utes are a very bad sign, generally indicating an advanced ( 

 stage of inflammation of the crop. For all disorders of thisyj 

 kind rhubarb is the best and safest remedy, but not more than \' 

 three or four consecutive doses should be given without an 

 interval of some days, or it loses its effect. Sugar candy and 

 p manna are also useful and harmless laxatives. Hawks are 

 liable to fits, both epileptic and apoplectic, especially when 

 very fat and suddenly excited or frightened. We cannot re- 

 . commend with confidence any remedy except keeping the hawk 

 J^rfectly quiet and feeding her lightly, getting her as soon as 

 Spossible into better condition. 



Hawks that are taken too young from the nest or that have 

 been much exposed to cold when taken are sometimes seized 

 ^ with cramp in the legs ; this will completely paralyse the limbs 

 ^*and render the bird useless. Indeed, in bad cases we have 

 J*jcnown the bones of the leg dislocated. Mild attacks will 

 sometimes pass off of themselves, but there is no remedy for 

 , bad cases. 



I Swelled feet and corns are common but troublesome com- 

 ' plaints which affect trained hawks. The first and more serious 

 5ferm of the disease is a swelling and inflammation of the wholeSl* 

 l?E)all of the foot ; the latter are small tumours which appean? 

 Jftn different parts of the foot and generally, come slowly to aV 

 fflead, open, and discharge their contents in the form of a core^ 

 of hardened pus._ Tim^ is generally the_^ best gyre for this » 



